There is no bigger name in the world of sports right now than Shohei Ohtani. The Japanese superstar has been an absolute revelation in the majors this season, putting up insane numbers both at the plate and on the mound.
Ohtani leads the league in home runs with 31 long balls this season, 14 of which have come in his last 19 games. He is currently tied with former New York Yankees star Hideki Matsui for most home runs by a Japanese-born player in a Major League Baseball season.
Ohtani's numbers continue to astound
Ohtani managed to accomplish that feat in just 81 games for the Los Angeles Angels this campaign. The 27-year-old is currently batting .276 with 68 RBIs and a 1.054 OPS as the Angels' everyday designated hitter, producing elite exit velocities with his home run swings.
Ohtani is not just an excellent hitter, though, as he has proven to be an outstanding pitcher as well for the Angels. He is 4-1 with a 3.49 ERA and 89 strikeouts over 67 innings in 13 starts on the mound. Ohtani reminded everyone of his pitching brilliance on Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox, hurling seven innings of five-hit ball in a 5-3 victory for his fourth win of the season.
Ohtani now heads into the Midsummer Classic with the eyes of the world all on him. He will participate in the Home Run Derby on July 12, becoming the first Japanese-born player to participate in MLB's showpiece event.
It might be the first Home Run Derby in the United States for Ohtani, but he has some experience in such an event. He won the Nippon Professional Baseball Home Run Derby back in 2016.
In terms of Ohtani's slugging acumen, he ranks 11th in MLB in the average home run distance (415 feet), and his 470-foot blast on June 9 was the fifth-longest home run this season and the longest of the Japanese star's career.
Ohtani will create more history the following day when he makes his much-anticipated appearance in the All-Star Game on July 13. He will be pulling double duty in that contest as he became the first player to be selected to the All-Star Game as both a position player and a pitcher.
Related Article: Shohei Ohtani Makes History, Selected As Pitcher and Position Player in 2021 MLB All-Star Game
The legend of Ohtani started in Japan
It has been a long road to the All-Star Game for Ohtani, who started his professional baseball career in Japan. He initially announced that he would go straight to MLB rather than turn pro in his home country after his high school career ended in 2012. Even with this knowledge, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball still drafted Ohtani with the No. 1 overall pick in that year's draft.
Ohtani shocked the world when he decided to sign with the Fighters, but that partnership proved fruitful for both parties. Ohtani was able to hone his batting and pitching skills further, creating the two-way threat that he is today. He led the Fighters to the Japan Series title in 2016, during which he was pronounced the league's MVP. He batted .322 with 22 home runs while pitching to a 1.86 ERA and striking out 174 batters in 140 innings over 21 games (20 starts).
He decided to take his talents to the United States in 2017, with the Los Angeles Angels earning the prized commitment. Ohtani has gone from strength to strength since then, and it will definitely be interesting to watch what more the Japanese phenom has to offer in his spectacular baseball career.
READ MORE ON SWN:
John Cena planning WWE return at SummerSlam 2021 to face Roman Reigns
The Switch is On: LeBron James to Change Los Angeles Lakers Jersey From No. 23 to No. 6
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
